500 lb. body proves too overwhelms crematory

[LilCerberus]

Talk of the town today...

http://www.nbc12.com/story/26737161/500-lb-body-causes-fire-at-henrico-crematory

[sprite75]

Must've been a special oversized crematory...my understanding is that most units aren't equipped for anything much over 300 pounds.  Of course more oversized units are being placed these days.

[BoyScoutKevin]

A tragedy for almost all concerned. Not the person being cremated, since he was dead, but certainly for the man's family and the workers at the crematory. Yet I can't but think there is--somewhere--an element of humor in all this, as I have had this problem when in my kitchen--a common, ordinary grease fire. Of course, what caught fire in my kitchen certainly weighed less than a quarter of a ton.

This also raises the question, how much ash did all this produce? Certainly, one would think more than the normal amount. Thus, calling for a larger than normal size urn to keep the ashes in.

[LilCerberus]

Being a local story, there were a number of follow-ups;

The crematory specializes in 500lb cadavers.

Fortunately, no one was injured, the crematory suffered no serious damage, & the incident did not affect the preparations for the cadaver in question.

There were also three other cadavers on site, which weren't affected.

[Flangepart]

A friend died after a prolonged illness, and when Barbara asked me to carry his remains in...well, Steve was a big guy like me, and when I picked up the box, I almost dropped it and I said "Steve, you a fat ash even in death!"
Barb and Gail laughed, cause Steven would have appreciated the line!

R.I.P buddy. See ya later.

[sprite75]

There were also three other cadavers on site, which weren't affected.

At least for a while.